Time stopped for an instant. In that moment, images of his short life flashed before his eyes like shuffling cards. It was after this happened, that reality set in, and he realized, I'm dying. The sight of Sayid holding the gun, began to fade and the pain brought him to his knees. His focus went to the ground and his body followed. Falling, falling, into a black chasm that would never end. His stomach felt in knots, struggling to take a breath. From the speed he was going, it was impossible. Please…Stop…please…

And it did.

Bright sunshine was beaming, brighter than he had ever seen. Ben was running through the brushes near the barracks. Annie was in pursuit. The wind fluttered his hair, and he ran, with the speed of a wild hare, nothing able to touch him because he was going so fast. "Ben! I'm going to catch you!" Annie yelled. His heart raced from the run, slowing him down, to collapse in the field, laughing as Annie caught up to him, falling on top of him. They both giggled, lying side by side now, rolling onto their backs to look at the brilliant blue sky and look at the clouds. "That was fun." He commented, catching his breath from the race. Annie turned her head to look at him, her sweet smile on her face warmed him whenever it was directed at him. "You're going to be my best friend, forever."

Suddenly pain in his ribs began to overtake his vision, Annie faded. Ben gasped, opening his eyes. It was cold and dark. The taste of blood was in his mouth, and he coughed, choking from the metallic taste it left. He was lying on his stomach, face down on the ground. He lifted his head, feeling weak. In the distance he saw a man laying there… Memory of what had happened, returned to him slowly as if a puzzle was trying to find it's rightful place. Ben had stolen his father's janitor keys, and he had decided to release the hostel locked away in the cell in the security room. They hadn't gotten very far before a van had driven up, one of the workmen, or a security officer perhaps. From the shrubbery, Ben had witnessed Sayid flip the man over. It had been pretty cool until Sayid lifted the gun to Ben, and pulled the trigger. He grimaced from the pain, feeling icy and drowsy. Ben knew that he had to get help. Slowly, he pulled himself, trying to crawl toward the man, in the last desperate chance for life, he had to get to him. Even though in reality, he wasn't…The man seemed so far away. Ben held his breath, gritting his teeth as he crawled nearer, trying to ignore the horrible throbbing from the wound in his chest. Tears rolled down his eyes, as he struggled to remain conscious. As he struggled not to let the pain overtake him. He nearly was to the man, and he cried out. Unable to go any farther. Dots circled in his vision. "Help…help me…" He whispered weakly. Darkness overtook him again, as he laid down his head in the muddy ground, unable to find the strength within himself to hold it up any loner.

He was roughly pushed inside the house, he stumbled, trying to catch his balance. Suddenly, Roger grabbed his arm, twisting him around to face him. His father looked at him with hatred, the kind of look that clearly said that he wished Ben had died, not his mother on the day he was born. His father's teeth were gritted, his sandy hair falling into his eyes as he glared down at Ben with accusation. "You're giving sandwiches to the bastards that shot at me? Huh?" Roger shook Ben, his rough hold made Ben gasp in pain, tears falling effortlessly from his eyes as he avoided eye contact. Ben stared hard down at his shoes. He wished he could escape. To be anywhere would be better than here. It had to be. "I bet you think it's funny, don't you?" Ben could hardly hear his father's voice as he tried to detach himself from the situation. As Roger continued to rave at him, he thought of how he could live with Richard Alpert... Maybe he would find his mother then. He would have time to search for her if he was there, out in the jungle. She would love him. She would take care of him, and he would never have to see his father again. "Look at me Ben! Look at me when I'm talking to you!" A strong hand grabbed Ben's chin, forcing his head up. He met his father's grey eyes as they glowered at him. "Say it, Ben. SAY IT." Roger shouted. Say it? Say what? Ben wondered. Suddenly a swift smack to his face surprised him, leaving him standing there in shock as his glasses fell to the ground. Roger bent down, seizing his glasses. He snapped them in half, breaking them. "You do it again Ben," Roger bent down to his level, grabbing the front of his shirt pulling him closer, waving the broken glasses in his face. "This is what's going to happen to your arm." Roger shoved him backward, throwing the glasses at him as he stormed out of the house. Ben sunk to the ground, crying. He looked up at his mother's picture that was suspended on the wall before him. "Help me, mom...Help me."

Ben groaned as he was pulled over, "Help me..." He whispered. It was so cold... so cold...and dark... His side hurt...It was throbbing, as if his heart was there. He closed his eyes, letting darkness engulf him once more. He could feel himself being lifted up... Was this what it felt like to die? He choked slightly, struggling to breathe. Ben could feel himself being laid back down. His eyes fluttered open to see a figure standing over him. He couldn't see it's face. "Benjamin..." It was his mother. She was over him, stroking his hair. She smiled at him sadly, inspecting his face. "Mom?" Ben asked weakly, in disbelief. "Yes, Benjamin. It's me." She said, grabbing his hand. "I...I want to go with you." His mother shushed him, brushing his hair back from his face. "It's not time yet, Benjamin."